US snowstorm downgraded despite fears

US cities from Boston to New York and Philadelphia are shutting down against a monster storm that could unload up to three feet of snow on a region of more than 35 million people.

US snowstorm downgraded despite fears

Tens of millions of people along the US East Coast hunkered down for a storm which for most failed to live up to predictions that it would be one of the worst they had ever seen.

Forecasters originally said the storm could bring up to 3ft (1m) of snow and punishing hurricane-force winds. But early today, they downgraded most of those numbers, saying New England would fare the worst, but even then not as bad as expected.

Bruce Sullivan, of the National Weather Service, said Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, could get the most snow – about 2ft (0.5m). New York could see up to 20in (50cm), Hartford, Connecticut, up to 2ft (0.5m), and Philadelphia and central New Jersey about 6in (15cm).

The National Weather Service over the weekend had issued a blizzard warning for a 250-mile (400km) swathe of the region, meaning heavy, blowing snow and potential whiteout conditions.

Yesterday, life abruptly stopped across the region as officials ordered workers to go home early, banned travel, closed bridges and tunnels, and assembled their biggest ploughing crews.

“When you wake up in the morning, it is going to look like a blizzard,” said Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, echoing the concern of many government leaders.

Light snow fell steadily early today in midtown Manhattan as a few municipal trucks rumbled down empty streets. The city had an almost eerie feel to it, with no planes in the sky making for an unexpected quiet.

More than 7,700 flights in and out of the north east were cancelled, and many of them may not take off again until tomorrow. Schools and businesses finished early. Government offices closed. Shoppers stocking up on food jammed supermarkets and elbowed one another for what was left. Broadway stages went dark.

Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to go home and stay there, adding: “People have to make smart decisions from this point on.”

Commuters like Sameer Navi, of Long Island, were following the advice.

The 27-year-old, who works for Citigroup in Manhattan, said he takes a train every day and left work early yesterday after warnings by local officials to get home before the brunt of the storm.

“I did leave earlier than usual,” he said.

In New Jersey, snowploughs and salt spreaders remained at work on the roads last night in Ocean County, one of the coastal areas that was expected to be among the hardest hit. There was a coating of snow on the roads, but hardly any vehicles were travelling on them, as residents seemed content to stay indoors and monitor the storm in comfort.

Most businesses in the area had gone dark, including some convenience stores and gas stations.

Earlier in the day, Nicole Coelho, a nanny from Lyndhurst, New Jersey, stocked up on macaroni and cheese, frozen pizzas and milk at a supermarket.

“I’m going to make sure to charge up my cellphone, and I have a good book I haven’t gotten around to reading yet,” she said.

On Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange stayed open and said it would operate normally today as well.

Utility companies across the region put additional crews on stand-by to deal with anticipated power outages.

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